Wenger urges Arsenal stars to ‘show their anger’

Arsene Wenger: ‘What makes you angry is that you produce that performance and, in the end, you have nothing to show for it’

ARSENE Wenger is calling on his team to “show their anger” on Sunday when they travel to Southampton for a testing Premier League showdown.

The Gunners produced arguably one of their best attacking performances in recent years on Saturday but were undone by a series of defensive errors as they lost 3-1 against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger says he wants to see his squad use that defeat as motivation for the rest of the campaign, starting at St Mary’s this weekend.

“I believe from the game on Saturday, it has to make us angry and even more determined,” said Wenger. “The players have produced a quality performance. What makes you angry is that you produce that performance and, in the end, you have nothing to show for it. That’s very difficult to accept.”

Unlike his north London counterpart Mauricio Pochettino, Wenger has refused to rule his side out of the title race.

Even before dropping more points, being held to a 1-1 draw away at Watford on Saturday, Tottenham boss Pochettino said his side can no longer win the Premier League.

Wenger, however, does not accept that Arsenal’s challenge is over, even if they are 15 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

“I am not Pochettino, I am Arsene Wenger,” said the Frenchman.

“I am here to fight as long as I can. As long as mathematically it’s possible you have to fight. You cannot give any other message out.”

Wenger also revealed that Shkodran Mustafi is racing to be fit for the game against Southampton after lasting just 15 minutes against Manchester United before limping off injured.

“He has a little thigh problem, but it’s only a small one,” he said. “Sunday is a possibility. If not Southampton, then he should be fit for West Ham on Wednesday.”

There was some reason for good cheer around the Emirates this week after a trio of promising young players committed their long-term futures to the club.

Goalkeeper Matt Macey, 23, midfielder Ben Sheaf, 19, and striker Eddie Nketiah, 18, have all enjoyed a memorable season so far having made their first-team debuts for the Gunners in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.